Garage first, then car — Gatchalian

MANILA — Car dealers will require a garage or parking space for their new customer who want to purchase a new vehicle before they will be allowed to buy under the proposed measure to address the problem of traffic congestion in Metro Manila due to the volume of vehicles.

Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin T. Gatchalian filed House Bill 5098, which seeks to reduce the number of vehicles that are being parked on the streets due to lack of parking space.

Gatchalian said owners of private vehicles are using the streets and alleys as their own garage, causing traffic obstruction to motorists and pedestrians.

“Motor vehicle owners should be made responsible to provide a permanent parking space for their private vehicles in their residences,” Gatchalian said.

The veteran lawmaker said the street is intended for motorists and pedestrians and should not be used as personal parking space for these vehicles.

“Any financially-able purchaser of a motor vehicle can be presumed to be able to provide a parking facility for their vehicle,” he pointed out.

Under the bill, any person who intends to buy a car should first execute an affidavit before a notary public attesting to the availability of a parking space for the vehicle.

The affidavit shall be presented to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) as a pre-requisite for car registration.

The document must be kept on file and shall be produced when there exists a claim or evidence to the contrary that the parking space or facility attested therein does not exist.

The penalties for violation include the revocation of the motor vehicle registration and a fine of P50,000 for the car owner. The owner shall not also be allowed to register any vehicle under his name for three years.

Any official or employees of LTO who allows the registration of motor vehicle without a permanent parking space shall be suspended from office for three months without pay.